Music Box: Kat Edmonson not long for small venue performances

By MICHAEL BUCKLEY and Correspondent

Sep 12, 2013 | 8:00 AM

Kat Edmonson has been knocking at the door for a number of years.The Houston native arrives at Rams Head On Stage on Friday night armed with major label support for her 2012 release, "Way Down Low," and still generating recognition from her debut album "Take to the Sky," from major news outlets such as NPR and The New York Times.Perhaps that inspired her support team - led by industry record producing legends Al Schmitt (who worked with Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra) and the late Phil Ramone (Billy Joel and Paul Simon) - to stoke up the star-making machinery for "Way Down Low." With her growing success, including a crowd-pleasing duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with Lyle Lovett before a national audience last year on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," Kat might be on the brink of a career breakout."I was on NPR so much I gained a wider audience. And after doing so many opening tour slots and one-off shows, I did my first national headlining tour at the start of the year," Kat said in a recent press release.DownBeat magazine has her in their Best of 2012 lists, and Garrison Keillor recently welcomed her to Lake Wobegon.Kat started singing under her mother's wing and learning her parent's music from the Great American Songbook. So this may be your last best chance to see Kat in an intimate setting before she rockets into the music stratosphere like Chris Botti.There's always PBS, but the in-person connection is way more satisfying. See what all the fuss is about this Friday at Rams Head On Stage (8 p.m. showtime).Another sensational act poised for stardom is Baltimore-based folk pop singer Ruut, who has a new album and will open for Kat. Don't be late.Other can't miss musical events Friday night include former Bob Marley and the Wailers guitarist Junior Marvin and his band One Love performing at The Hamilton (8:30 p.m.).I remember Junior telling me about when he came up with his signature opening guitar lick that he gave Marley late one night. And the next morning Bob whipped out the new song "Could You Be Loved."DJ beats meet full on rock band as Zoogma and Damn Right play at Rams Head Live in Baltimore (9 p.m.), and the cool vibes of the legendary Gary Burton and his New Quartet are featured for two shows at Blues Alley in Washington (8 and 10 p.m. shows).

Saturday

Humorous populist juggernaut

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Eddie From Ohio

takes over The Hamilton at 8 p.m. I always think of the folk wave that brought you Barenaked Ladies and They Might Be Giants when I fondly reflect on all of the sold-out shows I've never seen Eddie From Ohio perform.

You can't miss if you get your tickets early for these folks. It's a benefit show for the organization One Voice!

And the future of folk music in a Beck sort of way could be young English singer/songwriter

Jake Bugg

, who performs at the 9:30 Club in D.C. (7 p.m. early show). He's got all kinds of atmospheric tricks on his self-titled debut album.

Critics love this guy and know he's just tipped his hand while the world begins to take notice.

Smooth jazz artist

Euge Groove

returns to Rams Head On Stage with his funky chops (8 p.m. showtime). Award-winning country music star

Jason Aldean

is joined on the bill at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va., by

Jake Owen

and

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Thomas Rhett

for a ride on the "Big Green Tractor" (7 p.m.).

The

Legwarmers

re-create the '80s fun at Rams Head Live in Baltimore (9 p.m.), and

Frederick Yonnet

plays his jazz, soul and fusion on his harmonica at Blues Alley (8 and 10 p.m. shows).

Sunday

Donna the Buffalo

returns to Rams Head On Stage for a night of groove and swing Americana music (8 p.m.). These guys (and Tara) are heavy on the groove in the tradition of the festive jam bands, and a lot of fun to be around. Ever herd of 'em?

Graham Nash

is on the road solo (as is Crosby) and will perform a show at the Birchmere in Alexandria (8 p.m.). Nash has a new tell-all biography out which you might want to read before attending the show.

Graham is an accomplished musician going all the way back to his formative years with British Top 40 hitmakers The Hollies and became a mainstay on CSN and CSN&Y.

He's also a fine photographer and innovator in that field.

Another Sunday show you won't want to miss is the

Hispanic Heritage Month Family Day of Salsa Music

. The show will be performed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery building, which features a massive covered courtyard in the middle of the two museums.

If you haven't been there to enjoy this public space, you are missing out. It's a fun place to see a show. No tickets required and admission is free for the whole family.

Tuesday

There are a couple of notable shows not to miss, including the progressive Latin jazz group